... Thanks so much for taking the time! I can't describe how it feels to connect outside of docs and family. The physical "anxiety" symptoms started in 2007 and have evolved over the years with nothing ever found except these blood tests over last couple years.
I did not see the blood test reports and will request them. She took over 20 panels and I'm not even sure what they... (2 replies)

... Thanks for that. It is primarily the ANA + that is worrying me because I am not aware of any family illness or medications that would cause it. Apart from vitamins and anti-oxidants, glucosamine+chondroitin, the only prescribed medications I am taking are Nexiam and Crestor.
I showed the blood test results to the rheumatologist who injected my thumb and he did not react so I... (2 replies)

... The homogeneous (aka diffuse or smooth) pattern is seen in lupus and mixed connective tissue diseases, in people taking certain medications (like blood pressure pills, heart medications or anti-convulsants) and is the one found most often in healthy people who test positive for ANA. Your negative ENA is pointing in that direction.
Thirty percent of healthy relatives of... (2 replies)

... I recently had very painful tenosynovitis in my right thumb. X-rays showed osteo-arthritis of the upper phalanx with a visible bone protrusion just above the top joint and triggering in the evenings. Blood tests showed:
RF <20 (0-20),
ANA positive, homogenous, titre 1/160
ENA screening negative
After three months of wearing a brace and taking Celebrex (which didn't... (2 replies)

... I was diagnosed with patella-femoral syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome when I was 21 years old, so arthritic pain is not new to me. I am now 38 years old and the normal meds and methods for dealing with the pain were no longer working and the knuckle on my right hand had gotten swollen and painful . I had my primary care phys run a general blood test which came up normal.... (2 replies)

... I'm having a terrible time trying to get a diagnosis here. I'm a 49 yo female and I started out with autonomic nervous system dysfunction about a year ago that has now progressed to pain in multiple joints, most prominently in my hips/pelvic girdle that gets worse with walking and is really bad climbing/descending stairs and inclines and makes me walk with a waddling/shuffling... (2 replies)

... Darvocet for pain. So no i don't feel i'm being treated for RA. My blood will be tested in Nov. again also. After reading posts here, i'll have to look at my ana levels and such. If my rheumy thinks i am a candidate for RA, i sure wish i could get on some right meds to help me out. ... (5 replies)

... for about two years...all started from some unexplained aches and pains in my joints and funky bloodwork. My primary doctor originally thought lupus becasue my ANA was high as well as my ESR and CRP. I also had a strange rash on my face. ... (5 replies)

... Hi kathie
I have psoriatic arthritis and I have hair loss because of the related rash called psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflamitory arthritis like rhumatoid arthritis (both are auto-immune diseases). I did not have a positive RF. I do however have a positive ANA test everytime (this is a test for Lupus) but I do not have Lupus-I have Fibromyalgia and this can... (7 replies)

... A positive RF factor is usually, but not always, an indicator of RA. I'm not sure exactly what a positive ANA factor is, but I'm sure if you type that up in a search engine, you will get a wealth of information. ... (7 replies)